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Category: Bookstores
Neighborhood: Flatiron23rd St-Broadway (R, W)
23rd St-6th Ave (F, V)
14th St-6th Aves (F, V, L, 1, 2, 3)
Mon-Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
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Simple Concept .. Amazing Result
It's very refresh to find a bookstore that thinks outside the box. I came here with high expectations, and they exceed my expectations.
I love the atmosphere, it's quiet and initiate, which makes a good bookstore. within 10 seconds. I found what I was looking for. +++
Cute sitting areas for you to relax and read!!! I'm glad I found this place!!
Aw, Idlewild, if you were a male human, you'd be exactly my type. You're worldly, traveled, interested in other cultures, you have adventurous taste in experiences and food, both on and off the beaten track, and you have an exquisite decorating sensibility. You make people feel at home, and you're completely cool without seeming to try at all. You know all my favorite books, and you shelve them conveniently by country. You hold occasional laid-back readings and serve wine and cheese. I love you, Idlewild.
Wait a minute. Idlewild... you're not gay, are you?
I love this bookstore, reminds me a lot of the movie "You've Got Mail" with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. The "Shop Around the Corner" vs. "Fox Books"!! Watch out Barnes and Nobles, this place has a few tricks up its sleeve and the best part is that it really is a hidden little treasurer. I've seen the owner numerous times hanging around the store, and as for B&N... 0, nada, none! Honestly Idlewild's got "it" great sales, cozy atmosphere, and about a million and one great reads!
the next best thing to travelling. sectioned off by geographical area, it has a wide array of both fiction/non-fiction books per country.
I can always find a good read at this store.
I love this bookstore. They not only have all the fabulous characteristics the other yelpers have stated but also have a great sale section.
I love this bookstore.
Love this place - I could spend hours browsing.
Lectures, and lit, and lounge - oh my!
This local bookstore has brains, heart, and courage and definitely reminds you that you're not in Kansas anymore.
In toto:
- Hesse next to the Germany section
- Babar for the babes
- Frequent flyer book program (and no card...saving the trees for the great books)
- Periodic lit parties for the jet-setters
- Staff that know off-hand when the next shipment will arrive and what the great Oz will have in his balloon.
Plan a trip here so you can plan your own travels and read about the travels of others....Clearly, a book store for the right and left side of your brain...corpus callosum be damned (you'll find Dante in the Italian section)
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The organization of this store is a damn good idea: traditional sections by country, but along with the travel guides you will find some related fiction or non-fiction books that can complement your trip nicely. So, you can get your travel guide to Germany and a book by Herman Hesse all from the same shelf. And if they don't have the book or guide or map you need, the helpful staff will order it for you. This bookstore is going to be my first stop whenever I prepare for a trip...
I have a love-hate relationship with Idlewild.
I love and want almost everything in the store, I want to live in the store because it's so clean and gorgeous, and I hate it because it's next to perfect.
Everyone here is so pleasant to the point where I'm smiling for hours after a conversation, which can be annoying because what follows is, " isn't that place great, isn't he such a nice guy ( owner ), wouldn't you just want to live there", annoying anyone that had taken this journey with me.
Stop in and find out for yourself.
This place is great! I came here for Orangette's book reading so it was a bit cramped. Before the book reading, I browsed the selection and knew I'd have to come back when it's less busy. I like how they organize their books.
Love that there is an Indy bookstore!
Had no idea that they organized their books by country instead of publisher or author, which caused us to have an interesting conversation about how people catalog their libraries. The globes and maps all over the store were also awesome because I adore globes, especially ones that light up.
Yay!!!! A great new small bookstore in NYC!!!
Organized by country -with travel books and literature. Both the customer and the employee I met were awesome. We had a great conversation, exchanged references, turned each other on to new books - just what you want from a bookstore. And it is beautiful, pretty, cleverly edited. Hooray hooray for little lovely smart bookstores!! They seem to have great events too though I haven't been to any yet. Just found it. And love it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gorgeous, just gorgeous!! Located on a second floor on 19th St. this crisp small bookstore still smells of new, and has trumpeted it's coming with careful and responsible selections all orbiting (pun intended) around the theme of cultural diversity and traveling. My idleness indeed went wild upon entering the store and browsing the racks!
Arranged by countries, we can find reference books, dictionaries, guides and of course, literature, from these places; a fact that its stated even in their decor, since you can clearly see a huge Globe of the Earth right next to the counter, and even from the street.
I was surprised to find appealing selections of rare quality; and I saw a book from Guy de Maupassant that I didn't even know existed (considering that his bibliography is so short). Even though I went there to browse, I ended up buying a book of prose selections by Mallarme, which again, was too appealing to pass.
I truly recommend this bookstore if you are planning a trip somewhere, and wish to submerge yourself in all the intricacies of the culture prior to your trip. An added bonus is that they have a warehouse in Jersey that houses thousand of titles which you can order and pick up at the store in 2 days. Sweet.
Good independent bookstores are rare; good independent travel bookstores even rarer which is why you should detour over to Idlewild and explore their tempting offerings. What sets idlewild apart from what you'll find at Barnes and Noble is the way they've grouped together both guidebooks with geographically relevant fiction and non-fiction offerings. Looking for a guidebook to Vietnam? You'll also find Graham Greene's 'The Quiet American' on the shelf below. Not a guide book per se, but the kind of insightful literary offering that enhances a journey.
The idea of matching literary with practical works is nothing new. Daunt Books in London - one of the best English language travel bookstores in the world - has been doing it for a century.
What Idlewild gains in aesthetic - and it is a very attractive store - it loses in depth. There is a lot here and a lot to recommend about it but some shelves seems a bit too sparse for my tastes. The store is in it's first year and I'm sure the future will hold great things. An international newsstand of hard to find travel magazines and select international newspapers would enhance the current offerings.
Just love this bookstores. Wide selection of genre.
Holy Shakespeare. This is the little bookstore that could.
Even though I love Santa Monica and Venice, we all know that LA can be a little bit of a cultural desert. Los Angelenos just don't read as much or like to travel as often. I miss the days of living in NYC where I'd hop onto the train and see everyone with a book, newspaper, or iPod (or all of the above).
Anyhow, everytime I'm back in the city I always try to check out a new bookshop. This is the greatest store for travel-themed books, destination guides, and regional fiction. I also love the special editions they carry --- I picked up a few of the Melville House editions which are a series of classics re-issued with simple typefaced covers. For 10 bucks a pop, I was tempted to lug the whole shelf home.
Such a treat in the Union Square area.
It looks like Idlewild Books has a loyal following among Yelp people, and deservedly so.
I'm not sure if anyone mentioned, though, that they have an ongoing series of events that includes book launch parties, readings, panel discussions, etc.
Last night, there was a great panel discussion with Prof. Francisco Goldman and translator Natasha Wimmer on author Roberto Bolano (with complimentary beer and wine, btw!!) about his recently-translated book entitled: 2666.
There was an overflow, standing-room-only crowd, which shows that, even in this world of independent bookstore closings, publisher financial problems and online reading, people still want to read actual books and shop in bookstores with knowledgeable staff and well-chosen stock.
Meanwhile, back in the virtual world...They have a pretty good web site, too, with listings of their bestselling titles, new acquisitions, gifts, and more.
The latest (and most welcome!) addition to New York's independent bookstore scene. After Coliseum closed, I was afraid the indie vendors were being chased out of NY but Idlewild has put those fears to rest (for now).
It also has the virtue of being New York's only travel and international literature bookstore *insert cheers here*! As others have said, it specializes in goods and books for globetrotters, jetsetters, and the internationally curious. Books are organized by country, and include travel guides, social science books, and literature written in or about the country. The selection for literature is well curated, and it's really fun to browse their other, supposedly travel-related merchandise, including flasks (2oz so it's safe for the plane), neck pillows, and these awesome grey t-shirts: "I Feel Relatively Neutral About New York".
The space is bright, airy and cozy at the same time, with lots of wood and a vaguely Mediterranean feel to it (must be all the white and blue), + a wall of windows which never hurts. A really charming space, especially for the area.
On a nearly weekly basis, Idlewild also hosts special events, including book launches, book readings/signings, lectures, panels, and talks, often with free wine/snacks. Sign up for their mailing list on their website to get in the know: http://www.idlewildboo...
Another GREAT thing about idlewild is its proximity to the Flatiron Lounge (down the block!!). Book launch/browse in the evening after work, then treat yourself with a fine speakeasy cocktail just steps away. Deliciousness all around.
I am an aspiring travel writer, so this place is a little piece of heaven off 5th ave. Idlewild books, which comes from the original name of JFK Airport, has everything you need for travel literature. From the 50 states to Latin America, Europe, Asia and all points in between. If you don't see it, ask the owners and they will try and order it for you.
The store has great decor and is just so cozy looking. You want to grab a book, sit back and hang out here for awhile. I was here for a tripwolf presentation, and the owner was nice enough to allow the owners of the site to do a 60 minute speech about new venture. It made for a great atmosphere.
Then when you are done carousing the books, take your new find to the nearby wine bar or coffee shop next to this great gem in Union Square. Finally a cool bookstore opens in this busy shopping area, take that Barnes and Noble!
Excellent independent book store. A must visit for international travelers. My girlfriend ended up buying 4 books, and I was looking for the book "Arabic Tattoos" which the gentleman at the front said he could have it in 3 days. Lo and behold exactly 3 days later he calls me to say the book is in and it's even on their special display table. Excellent service, beautiful store, well stocked and well organized.
five years ago i had an opportunity to move to barcelona. it was an incredibly risky adventure and everything about the offer seemed to shout NO NO NO at me, in neon flashing lights. moving was one of the best decisions i ever made in my life, and the domino effect of this decision resulted in the loss of all inhibitions regarding trying new things and seeing new places.
finding a great travel bookstore is something i like to do in every city i wind up living in, because i like to plan my next move. idlewild is the most impressive travel book store i've ever been in. oh, and also, the owner is like william thacker himself. if you know what i mean.
it's a small shop, but it's got everything a globetrotter like myself could ever want and need while planning their next trip, or, reminiscing about places already traveled.
personally i like to come here simply to daydream
while running errands today i stumbled upon this place and it's one of the most incredible book stores i've ever seen.
they specialize in travel guides and literature. the store is divided by continent/country/city so if you're going to munich, for example, you can find guide books, history books, and novels taking place there. according to their website you can also provide them with details about your upcoming trip and they'll create a customized book collection for you.
the economy sucks and independent stores are closing left and right, so i'm posting this in the hopes that some of you will go check it out and help keep it open.
I happened upon this bookstore and it is such a gem. I appreciate the selection of fiction and travel writing next to the guide books, and the owner (who is always there when I've gone back) is very helpful.
I hope this little place does well because it's one of the best independent bookstores I've ever visited. It's small but it's focused. It is a travel bookstore, so if you're looking for guide books, you'll find them here. But on top of that, you can find famous and popular literature from regional authors that you might not stumble upon otherwise. I think it's a great way to pump yourself up for your upcoming trip or extend the memories of your last. :)
Oh Idlewild, you are so perfect. A tiny bookstore that manages to house "Under the Cherry Blossom Tree: An Old Japanese Tale - Retold By Allen Say," and Graham Greene's the Comedians, a classic book about Haiti. And the staff...the sort you definitely want to be friends with! If you love books and our lonely planet, you will love Idlewild.
With the nearby B&N closing, finding Idlewild was a treat, especially since I am a huge fan of travel literature. I discovered it just when I was deciding whether or not to take a travel writing course. I figured it was some sort of sign so I immediately made my payment. As an avid traveler, this store is extremely helpful. We all know that B&N never carries enough travel books. Everything in Idlewild is easily organized with a huge selection. For example, walk over to the Japan section to find guidebooks, novels, fiction, and non fiction, all pertaining to Japan. They even offer 'Luxe' Guides!
When I moved to NY from Minneapolis I instantly missed my favorite independent bookstore. It seemed to make sense that NYC would offer me plenty of options to choose a replacement, but it wasn't so easy. The city has no restrictions on zoning for major chains, which has left little room for small specialty shops to survive. When I found this shop I was very impressed. Idlewild is still relatively new, but is staying in the game with a niche focus on travel and global writing, a reader friendly shelving system and passionate ownership that caters to devout book addicts. Sure, you'll pay the full cover price for any selection, but you're supporting a dying trend of small independent stores that keep the integrity of the industry alive. Make a stop on a bad weather day, with a few hours to spare for exploration. Owner David Del Vecchio will likely be there to greet you when you walk-in.
I learned a new fact Idlewild was the original name of JFK airport. That in alone should make you want to check this place out.
I just came home its opening day today and I am blown away. This store specializes in books in places, there a NYC section, Spain section, Russian section, so on and so forth. I love the space. Its airy and bright. Granted they are still fixing the bugs like putting up a sign but who cares when I found books that I have been searching for for years. I mean years, people. They also have special travel items like a travel chopsticks and kid shoulder rests. Personally I found something that tops my love for the NYPL (New York Public Library) and that is hard to do. I thought they would just have travel guides but they have that and much more. They have lit that covers the globe just how I like it. They have graphic novels from Germany and Historic Fiction from Russia. I am so gushing right now but you have to find out for yourself about this place. P.S. They are reasonably priced items. I already picked out a hiking Swiss knife for my man and a book list of children's books that I must buy when I go back. They also special order anything you can't find. Love it! But really check it out, B n N got nuthing on this store.
Lovely sliver of calm above 19th. Who doesn't love location-specific literature lovingly displayed next to travel guides for the places that inspired it? Something for everyone (book-, journal-, globe-, and other fun travel-trinket-wise) and a place for every armchair traveler to indulge escapism, if only for a minute or two.
Neighborhood: West Village
Category: Bookstores
Neighborhood: West Village
Category: Bookstores
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